NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
France - a great incubator for African soccer talent. A sustainable system or not?
The list of African players that have become global stars by using France as a doorway to success is a long one. A record that shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. We’ve seen them in the EPL, UEFA Champions League, and many other leagues, as young Africans are increasingly becoming the hottest commodities in football development.
The reigning world champions won the 2018 FIFA World cup in style. Les Blues made lightwork of a resilient Croatian side as they cruised to a 4-2 victory that warranted them the world cup gold. With a squad averaging 26 years of age, the joint second youngest squad at the tournament in Russia, not many would have seen France going all the way, at least I didn’t - especially that the tourney had been won by ‘experienced’ and ‘talented’ squads in times past, which really means relatively old players playing for the biggest of clubs in the world. One indisputable fact to the European country’s world cup triumph is their strength in diversity, in particular - deep appreciation of players of African descent. Don’t worry, it’s not that cliche write-up, bestowing the honor of the world cup gold on Africa. The French football fraternity has done so much more in including African players in their academies and local clubs, that it’s even hard to ignore. Deliberately or objectively, they have have just done it.
“Here is the interesting part. An African is born a great football talent - whether or not they grew up playing in the streets with a rubbish ball, dancing past cars. They are simply born good, it seems to always come with the blood. Take my word for it.”
What is it really, that they do?
Christopher Nkunku of Paris Saint Germain in action during the International Champions Cup match between Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain at the National Stadium on July 28, 2018 in Singapore.
(July 27, 2018 - Source: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images AsiaPac)
If you come across players of color or Arabic football players in the French leagues, it’s almost certain that they will be of African descent. Francophone West African countries such as Ivory Coast, Togo, Mali as well as Algeria and Tunisia in the north are the most common, as result of the close ties between the above countries and France due to colonial history. France is simply not so uptight with their immigration laws which have amounted to a sizeable number of African parents moving to the country in search of “greener pastures.”
Here is the interesting part. An African is born a great football talent - whether or not they grew up playing in the streets with a rubbish ball, dancing past cars. They are simply born good, it seems to always come with the blood. Take my word for it. The reason why African countries are not at the top, is just as the adage says - fewer resources or mismanagement of them thereof has seen the continent’s football systems lag behind despite hosting the brightest of talent. Now, those African children born in France, and because they are born good football players - France’s established systems and infrastructure make them great. Nine times out of ten, every French top flight team has their star players having that African heritage.
Let’s play a game
Naby Keita of Liverpool (L) is challenged by Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium on September 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 14, 2018 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Picking a French Ligue 1 team at random, let’s trace the roots of their star players. Lets even start with PSG, the cash-loaded side with a host of expensive imported players from everywhere. The golden boy, Kylian Mbappe was born to a Cameroonian father, even their academy starlets in for example Alan Nkunku who has been getting some first team minutes under Tuchel, the boy has roots in DR Congo. Lyon’s captain, Nabil Fekir, the 2018 world cup winner is of Algerian descent, second-placed LOSC Lille have their attackers crowned with Ivorian talent in Jonathan Bamba and Nicolas Pepe. Marseille and French shot stopper, Steve Mandanda was born in DR Congo it goes on and on to the lowest of leagues. The game gets really boring, but I am sure you got the point.
About the current heroes
Nabil Fekir of Lyon celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with his team mates during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe)
African players conversations are dominated by names such Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Liverpool trio in Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, Man City’s Riyad Mahrez amongst many others. The above are definitely the most expensive African players and amongst if not the creme de la creme and guess what? It’s only Mohamed Salah who did not have France as his doorway to professional football and eventual success. Even countries like England and Belgium have had their most recent successes on the international front boosted by this #strength in (African) diversity. The likes of Dele Alli, Ryan Sessegnon, Romelu Lukaku, Nacer Chadli, Vincent Kompany among many other notable names - they all have African roots.
A question for Africa
There are few African greats who have bypassed France to stardom which include the likes of the Zambian, Kalusha Bwalya, Nigeria’s Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Peter Ndlovu from Zimbabwe and many more. Like I said, they are just few - only a tiny fraction of similar players who have just as much talent or even better. Perhaps the pertinent question for the continent at this stage is, what about all those who cannot be catered for by the French system or any other more established ones? Should we continue letting it be and hope by chance, things would get better and we would then eventually be where we are supposed to be, the top?
Let’s have this conversation.
FT Dream Team Series: Idrissa Gueye or N’golo Kante, who would you pick?
Let’s create a dream team picking from the La Liga, EPL, CAF, Bundesliga, or Champions League. First up, given two players with almost similar attributes, who would you pick? The Frenchman, N’golo Kante or Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye?
Idrissa Gueye of Everton slides in to tackle Luciano Vietto of Fulham as Lucas Digne of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Fulham FC at Goodison Park on September 29, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 28, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
It’s about time we break ground with those conversations. Yes, those ones we have with our friends about who’s best. Today, we are not on about the GOAT debate. We compare two players who play in the same position and have the same influence in their respective teams. One has won the FIFA World Cup, and the English Premier League twice already yet the other is settled in a mid-table team battling it out for a European spot. The debate is between a French midfielder and Africa’s crown jewel. Kante vs Idrissa Gana Gueye of Senegal. Here’s, my rationale before making a pick.
More often than not, the best players have been considered to be the ones playing in the biggest of teams. Think of Ronaldinho and Messi at Barcelona, Ronaldo at Madrid only to mention but a few. Backed up by numbers, it’s easier to tell a story that they are the best above the rest. Therefore, it becomes a mountain climb if you try to make a claim for a player in a lesser team. However, one can argue to say that Kante plays with better players at Chelsea who bring out the best in him. With Jorginho, Fabregas, Kovacic, or Barkley next to him, it’s easier for the well-renowned midfield general to make an impact in the game. This gives an edge to Kante over Gana Gueye who plays with Schneiderlin, Davies and Gomes who are still yet to reach the level of the above mentioned players at Chelsea as well as maintaining that form. This will not be overlooked in my final judgement.
N'Golo Kante of Chelsea in action with Joe Bennett of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge on September 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
(Sept. 14, 2018 - Source: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Europe)
In addition, such debates have been accompanied by the number of accolades won by an individual. Take the Ballon d’Or award for example, it is awarded to a player who was outstanding in terms of individual contribution as well as claiming a collective trophy with their club. This requires having a great manager, dressing room atmosphere as well as playing with the best players on the pitch. As a result, it is no surprise that Kante lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia trophy with a star-studded French team. To give you context, the fourth most expensive player in the world, Ousmane Dembele, could not make it into the first eleven of that French team. They had so much depth to choose from. At club level, Kante won the English Premier League with Leicester City and Chelsea. Gueye on the other hand, has not won anything with his club, Everton which would eliminate him from making it to the FIFA Best shortlist. This is an unfair criteria used by the authorities as it overlooks an individual’s outstanding contribution. Because of that, trophies will not be at the heart of my decision.
Take away the above, Kante is a regular midfielder with the same abilities as Gana Gueye. Let’s take a look at their current stats. You might be surprised to find out that Gueye is averaging 6 tackles per game and 2.7 interceptions as compared to Kante’s 1.9 and 0.9. The African star is shining in his position but such performances by African players usually go unnoticed. Does Gueye have to join a club of Madrid’s stature for the fans to award him the respect that he deserves for his mastery of ball recovery in the middle of the park
“Kante is a regular midfielder with the same abilities as Gana Gueye. Let’s take a look at their current stats. You might be surprised to find out that Gueye is averaging 6 tackles per game and 2.7 interceptions as compared to Kante’s 1.9 and 0.9.”
If I were to choose my pick between the two, Kante would not be my first choice considering his current form. He looks lost in the new look Chelsea midfield next to Jorginho and Barkley. He has been far from his best and has been living of his form from the World Cup. Gana Gueye has been doing bits and I reckon would be much better if he is handed the opportunity to play for a bigger club in England.
Who would you pick?